Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.